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Concussions

Concussions in children can happen at any age – it’s just part of being an active kid. It might be a fall, a car crash, or a sports injury. No matter how a concussion happens, the symptoms don’t always develop right away.

It may take days before signs of a problem might appear. That’s why many kids, unaware they’ve been hurt, try to pick themselves up and get back to whatever they were doing, which is dangerous. If you suspect your child has had a concussion, remove him or her from activities and get an evaluation from your health care provider. Concussions in children require medical attention, lots of rest and a slow, careful return to daily routines under a doctor’s care.

More on Concussions in Children & Teens

Concussion Symptoms

If you think your child might have a concussion, be on the lookout for changes.

Symptoms of concussions in children that might occur immediately after injury include:

headache

dizziness

nausea and/or vomiting

fatigue

confusion

blurred vision

memory difficulties surrounding the injury

balance difficulties

Symptoms one to three daysafter the injury might include:

balance problems

dizziness

behavior or personality changes

confusion or difficulty remembering things

difficulty paying attention

feeling foggy

double or blurry vision

headaches

irritability or a change in behavior

sadness

feeling more emotional

nausea and/or vomiting

reduced energy level (tiredness)

sensitivity to light or noise

trouble falling asleep or a change in sleep patterns

changes in school performance

Sometimes, concussion symptoms get worse slowly over time.

Seek immediate help if your child develops more severe symptoms like these (even after a visit to a doctor):

headaches that get worse

extreme sleepiness or trouble waking up

seizures

weakness or numbness in the arms or legs

slurred speech

Follow-Up Care

Follow these next steps after your child comes home from the Emergency Department or doctor’s office following a concussion:

Follow any instructions provided to you

Keep your child home from school for at least two to three days or until cleared by your doctor

Bring your child to your Primary Care Physician for a follow-up visit two or three days after the incident. Your doctor should determine when it’s OK to return to school and can help answer your questions about managing any symptoms

See the doctor who treated your child’s concussion if your child continues to experience symptoms five to seven days after the incident

Even if symptoms go away, see your neurologist or specialist
if your child has:

Here are some things to keep in mind about concussion in children:

Keep your child from participating in normal activities until you get the go-ahead from your doctor. Normal activities include: school attendance, gym class, sports and extracurricular physical activities, and rough housing with siblings and friends. And that’s even if your child has been seen by a school nurse and even if your child feels ready. It takes time and rest to heal from a concussion. When kids get repeat concussions, the damage can be much more severe and long-lasting

Be sure to inform anyone who might be supervising or taking care of your child after a concussion – babysitters, relatives, teachers, school officials, coaches, and child care workers – so they can also make sure your child is following the doctor’s orders

Allow your child to ease back into the daily routine slowly, with guidance from your doctor, one activity at a time – never all at once

Consider baseline cognitive testing (ImPACT or similar) if your child plans to participate in sports. This provides an objective measure of how your child’s brain functions normally so we can have something to compare to if your child does get a concussion later

Preventing Concussions

Here are some common-sense steps you can take to help prevent concussion in children:

Have your child wear a properly fitting, appropriate helmet when riding a bike or playing contact sports

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